chapters 1-4 brief review brinkley text 14e chapters 1-4
TRANSCRIPT
Chapters 1-4 Brief Review
Brinkley Text 14e Chapters 1-4
The REAL Discovery of America
Long before ColumbusMigrations from Asia across the frozen
Bering StraitPerhaps 12,000 – 14,000 years agoPerhaps as early as 40,000 years ago
The REAL Discovery of America
Vikings had also visited c. 1000 AD Perhaps others from elsewhere By 1491, there were probably 50 million to 75
million people living in the Americas – more than in Europe at the time
By 1491, perhaps 10 million in what is now the US
Bering Land Bridge
America Before Columbus
Early inhabitants lived in small nomadic tribes
Subsisted by hunting, fishing and gathering food (hunter-gatherers) and occasional early farming
Complex civilizations developed over time
America Before Columbus
Inca Empire in South and Central America – complex political system, paved roads, etc.
Mayan Empire in Central America and the Yucatan peninsula – written language, numerical system, calendar, advanced agricultural system
America Before Columbus
Aztecs - central and southern Mexico Elaborate, advanced administrative,
educational and medical systems Harsh religion involving human sacrifice Agricultural economy, but with developed
urban centers Tenochtitlán (where Mexico City is now) had a
population of around 100,000, large public buildings, paved streets, running water, etc.
Diverse Civilizations
Some Indian tribes lived in fairly primitive ways
Others had complex and well-developed social, economic, religious and political structures
Some were nomadic, others sedentary
Diverse Civilizations
Had not discovered/invented the wheel, no horses
Did NOT share a common language Of the estimated 5,000 (or more) languages in
the world, about 1,500 were Indian languages in the New World
Dozens of “language families,” many isolated
Division of Tasks, Gender-role
Many of the tasks necessary to survival were assigned by gender
Women always cared for the children and prepared meals, and sometimes gathered certain types of food
Men engaged in hunting, fishing, warfare
Division of Tasks, Gender-role
The allocation of other tasks varied by tribe, region
Since the men were often away, women tended to control social and economic organization of tribes
Family lineage was traced matrilineally (through the mother)
Europe Looks Westward
Prior to about 1500 AD, Europe was not united Many small political units, subsistence
agriculture, limited commerce By about 1500 AD, Europe had begun to
recover from the effects of the Black Plague
Europe Looks Westward
Population was rebounding New business enterprises were emerging and
economic growth were occurring Political structures were consolidating and
becoming more effective and more powerful
Europe Looks Westward
Europeans sought commercial gain and prosperity
The power of the Church also motivated the desire to expand a “Christian Empire,” pursuing a divine mission
First to begin systematic exploration were the Portuguese
Europe Looks Westward
Failing to find support for his voyages in Portugal, Columbus turned to Spain
Columbus sailed west in August 1492, thinking he was heading to Japan
Niňa, Pinta, Santa MariaA Reproduction of the Niňa
Other European Exploration of the New World
The Indian population was soon reduced by unfamiliar diseases to which they had no immunity
Spain motivated by profit, wealth, expanding the Empire, displacing Portugal as a colonial power, spreading the Catholic faith, establishing huge profitable agricultural operations
Other European Exploration of the New World
After Columbus, Spain dominated exploration of the New World in the first half of the 16th century
Spain brought armies, weapons, horses, superior technology, greed, brutal oppression of native populations
Division of the New World
Portugal soon followed Spain in voyages of exploration and colonization
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided South America between Spain and Portugal
One reason why today, Portuguese is spoken in Brazil and Spanish in most of the rest of South America
The English, Dutch and French soon followed with their own voyages of exploration and colonization
Division of the New World
Spanish Colonial Empire
Presidios (forts), military outposts, missions Spanish treated natives harshly, killed leaders,
destroyed records Natives greatly outnumbered Spanish Attempt to suppress indigenous religious rituals
led to revolt
Spanish Colonial Empire
Spanish became slightly more tolerant, less oppressive, and more assimilation occurred
Spanish population grew, indigenous population declined
Huge declines in native populations in some areas
Spanish Colonial Empire
Spanish settlements largely independent of Spanish monarchy, local political power
Widespread use of native labor with relatively few immigrants from Spain to the New World
Spain sought to “rule,” not “populate” its colonies
Spanish Colonial Empire
Discovery of precious metals inhibited other forms of development
Missionaries were very aggressive and zealous in spreading the faith to the Empire
Spanish increased assimilation through intermarriage with native population
English Colonial Empire
England began to gain a foothold in the New World by the early 17th century
At home in England, there were wars, religious conflicts, changing economic conditions, increasing population, decreasing food supply, growth of mercantilism (merchant capitalism)
Extracting wealth from colonial possessions was a critical element in economic growth
Mercantilism
Mercantilism (merchant capitalism) based on the idea that the nation (not individuals) was the main force in the economy
Goal was to increase the nation’s total collective wealth
Mercantilism
World’s wealth was thought to be finite – a “zero-sum game” – one nation could become more wealthy only if another nation became less wealthy
A nation’s wealth could be increased by increasing exports and limiting imports (balance of trade)
English Colonial Empire
Colonies would be a place where people could “start anew” in a golden land filled with promise and opportunity
Colonies would also be a good place to send troublemakers, excess population, “idle poor” who annoy others
English Colonial Empire
Colonies would provide a source of raw materials which England would otherwise have to purchase from other countries (their economic competitors)
Colonies would offer new markets for manufactured English goods (e.g., woolens)
The Puritans
Puritans were English religious dissenters Out of the Protestant Reformation came the
Church of England C of E was as much political as it was religious C of E did not satisfy the religious desires of
many of the people
The Puritans
Some thought that the C of E had retained too many offensive “Romish” (Roman Catholic) religious practices and beliefs
Puritans sought to “purify” the Church of England
English Colonial Settlements
Jamestown (Virginia, 1607) was the first permanent English Settlement in North America
There had been previous attempts at establishing permanent settlements, but they had failed
English Colonial Settlements
Roanoke (Virginia, 1585), Sir Walter Raleigh – colonists abandoned attempt and went home
Roanoke (Virginia, 1587) – colonists remained, but had disappeared when English returned in 1590
Virginia Dare – first child born in America of English parents
“CROATOAN” – colony vanished without a trace
“CROATOAN”
Early Settlement Attempts Less Than Successful
Why did early attempts at establishing permanent settlements either fail or turn out to be less than successful?
They were business operations expected to produce a profit for the investors
The settlers tried to isolate themselves from the local inhabitants – enclosed settlements, “transplantations” of English culture into a place where English culture had difficulty taking root
Things didn’t work out as they had planned
American Society and Culture Develops
Settlers began to establish their own ways of doing things
English ways and English ideas had to be modified
Colonial society began to change, and change rapidly
The Early Chesapeake
Jamestown, 1607 – 104 men, no women, 1/3 would not survive the first year
Site poorly chosen – sought to establish a site that could be defended against Indians
Low, swampy, hot (is it ever!), humid (is it ever!), prey to outbreaks of malaria
Surrounding area heavily wooded, difficult to clear Located in the territory of a powerful Indian
confederation, led by Powhatan Generally, a miserable place
Virginia Colonies
James River area was an inhospitable, difficult place to settle
Investors wanted a quick return on their investment, not a family-friendly settlement
Settlers found it difficult to feel “at home” By January 1608, 38 of the 104 original colonists had
died John Smith, Council President Established his leadership and imposed order The following year, only 12 of 200 died
Jamestown revisited, 1609
Additional colonists sent to Jamestown Nine ships. 600 people, including women and children More hard times – some lost at sea, others grounded
at Bermuda, didn’t make it to Jamestown until 1610 Of the 500 residents in Jamestown that winter, only 50
were left alive when the Bermuda ship finally arrived Forced communal labor, harsh discipline – colony
survived, but was not a happy place
Tobacco
Tobacco was unknown in Europe until discovered in the Americas
Denounced by critics as a “poisonous weed” A “vile and stinking custom” But still, the demand for tobacco soared in
Europe Tobacco would grow well in Virginia, and was
the key to success of the colony at the time
Tobacco is a Dirty Weed
Tobacco is a dirty weed,I like it.It satisfies no normal need,I like it.It makes you thin, it makes you lean,It takes the hair right off your bean.It’s the worst darn stuff I’ve ever seen.I like it.
-- Graham Lee Hemminger (1895-1950)
Virginia grows and expands
The colony was surviving, but needed more people to make it profitable
“Headright” system – land grants to those who would emigrate
Skilled craftsmen and women began to arrive House of Burgesses (elected legislature) met in
Jamestown in 1619 First African slaves arrive in 1619 War became the solution to conflict with the Indians –
sought to suppress the natives
Maryland and the Calverts
George Calvert (Lord Baltimore), Catholic colonist Sought colonial grant as a haven for Catholics who felt
oppressed by the Anglican church at home Successful colony from the beginning Little or no conflict with the Indians, no Indian attacks No “starving time,” no plague Encouraged Protestants to emigrate also Religious toleration, freedom of worship Religious tensions remained
Bacon’s Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon – large farm, seat on the Governor’s Council
“Backcountry gentry” Conflict with Indians, for whom the land was
supposed to have been reserved Conflict between Bacon and Governor Berkeley over
Indian lands, fur trade with the Indians Bacon openly made war on the Indians Declared an outlaw by Governor Berkeley Bacon almost won, but died suddenly of dysentery
Bacon’s Rebellion
Continuing struggle to define the boundary between colonists’ land and Indian land
Pattern of making agreements with the Indians, then violating them
Indians would only tolerate a certain amount of intrusion into their territory
Competition between the eastern (Tidewater) settlers and the western (backcountry) settlers
Volatility/unpredictability of free, landless settlers with little opportunity
Increase of slavery instead of indentured workers
New England
Mayflower, 1620 Plymouth Company - migrating “Pilgrims” –
from England to Holland, Holland to America, seeking religious freedom
Mayflower compact Not really self-government (yet) but set the
stage Still Englishmen, allegiance to the king
Plymouth
Plymouth Pilgrims settled on cleared land that had been an Indian village (depopulated by disease) – made their survival easier
Indians were generally friendly and helpful, in part because they had been decimated and weakened by disease
Indians showed Pilgrims useful skills Pilgrims were generally more peaceful, more tolerant,
and less hostile than other settlers had been Thanksgiving
Plymouth Plantation
William Bradford chosen to be governor again and again
People were industrious but poor Content with living as godly people where
they believed God had placed them Wanted to serve as a model for other
Christians
Turbulent Times in England
King Charles I succeeded to the throne in 1625 Attempted to restore Catholicism in England Disbanded Parliament Civil war King Charles I overthrown and executed Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector
English Civil War and the Restoration Colonies
Charles I dissolved Parliament and began ruling as an absolute monarch
Finally called Parliament back into session when he was in need of money
Military challenge to the king, civil war Cavaliers (supporters of the king) vs. Roundheads
(supporters of Parliament, mostly Puritans) Roundheads defeated and executed the king Oliver Cromwell ruled as “Lord Protector” for nine
years
Restoration
After Cromwell’s death, his successors were unable to hold onto power
Charles II returned from exile and claimed the throne
King Charles II rewarded his supporters with grants of land in the New World
Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Evolution from money-making enterprises to
permanent settlements
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Company obtained a charter from the king, originally as a business venture
Sought opportunities in America, a haven for Puritans (a “city on a hill”)
John Winthrop led 1.000 people to the new world – the largest single migration of its kind in the 17th century
Winthrop himself held the charter – colonists were responsible to no one but themselves
Massachusetts Bay Colony
People other than religious separatists soon arrived, led to expansion of the colony
However, non-Puritans could not vote Religious dissent was viewed seriously – dissenters
could either conform or leave Many chose to leave, which spread English
settlement across New England Expansion into the Connecticut valley, New Haven,
Rhode Island, etc. Some were even more strict in enforcing religious
conformity than Massachusetts Bay
Roger Williams
Controversial young minister, lived for a time in Salem, Massachusetts
Williams argued for complete separation from the Church of England
Williams also argued for a complete separation of church and state, to avoid having the church corrupted by the secular world
Rhode Island chartered, based on religious tolerance
Anne Hutchinson
Originally lived in Massachusetts Bay Colony Charismatic, vocal and outgoing person, not a “retiring,
deferential wife and mother” Began to express her hostility to the established order,
exhibited remarkable knowledge of theology, claimed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit
Eventually moved to Rhode Island, and then to New York
Her followers also migrated, to New Hampshire and Maine
James, Duke of York
Brother of King Charles II Large grant of land in an area already claimed by the
Dutch Dutch overwhelmed by superior force and
surrendered Dutch “New Netherland” colony was renamed “New
York” Several different ethnic groups and Indian tribes,
several different religious faiths James was a Catholic, but did not impose his faith on
the colony
Quakers
“Society of Friends” Quakers = “tremble at the Name of the Lord” Equality between men and women No official paid clergy Pacifists William Penn Charter of Liberties, representative assembly
Caribbean Colonies
Substantial native populations Conflict with the Spanish Based on raising crops for export, e.g.,
sugar cane Small white population dependent on slave
labor Harsh treatment of slaves, slave revolt Trade with North American colonies
Georgia
James Oglethorpe motivated by philanthropic and military concerns
Sought to create a place where impoverished Englishmen could “start anew”
Sought to erect a barrier between the English colonies and the Spanish colonies
Military force, several wars
The “Glorious Revolution”
King Charles II proved to be unpleasant and unpopular Violated “Rights of Englishmen” by attempting to
consolidate North American English colonies Deposed in favor of his sister Mary and her husband
William of Orange, invited by Parliament William = ruler of Netherlands, staunch Protestant “William and Mary” assumed power in bloodless
revolution Massachusetts governor also deposed New York ruled for a time (1689-1691) by self-appointed
governor Jacob Leisler
British Colonies in America
Seen by both British and Americans as outposts of the British world
Many had come to America to escape British Tyranny, but . . .
They still considered themselves British Other nationalities arrived Slavery was an established institution Native population still outnumbered immigrants by a
large factor Regional differences continued
Colonial Population
Natives outnumbered immigrants Immigrant population grew rapidly By late 17th century, Europeans and Africans
outnumbered natives on the Atlantic coast Some upper-class Some middle-class Many laborers
Indentured Servitude
Young men and women bound to a term of servitude, as laborers or domestic servants
In exchange for passage to the New World, plus food and shelter for the term of their indenture
Usually a period of four to five years Some came voluntarily Some were criminals who came involuntarily Some criminals chose to be hanged rather than come
to America Many completed their term of service and left with
nothing
Indentured Servitude
Difficult to compel the Indian population to do certain kinds of work
Severe labor shortage, “servants for sale” Some (former) indentured servants successfully
entered society upon completion of their indenture; most did not
Some became farmers, artisans Most did not Many relocated often in search of opportunity
Improved Living Conditions
Non-native population increased Longevity improved Conditions better in the north than in the south Climate, disease, water, etc. Primitive medical conditions and medical
knowledge
Women and Families
Women married significantly younger than in England Indentured servants usually forbidden to marry until
their term of service was up Still, many extramarital pregnancies On average, women bore a child about every two
years, often as many as eight, or more Many children died young More men than women – women could be somewhat
selective
Slavery in New England
Scarce labor supply, always a market for slaves Slaves sold by African chieftains, Slaves shipped to South America and Caribbean by
the Portuguese, then the Dutch and the French Soon expanded to North America Perhaps as many as 11 million Africans forcibly
brought to the New World More African immigration than European immigration Slave population grew
Slave Trade
Female slaves were often victims of abuse Slave ships were dark, dirty, crowded, horrible Some captains packed ships as full as possible Some captains assumed that a certain percentage
would die and be thrown overboard on the voyage Some captains were more humane than others African slaves, and even African non-slaves) seen as
inferior by most whites African slaves heavily concentrated in southern
colonies
Slavery in the Colonies
About twice as many male slaves as female slaves This slowed population growth among slave population By 1700, more slaves being born than being imported Hard, debilitating work – e.g., rice cultivation Although children were being born to slaves, slave population did
not increase appreciably Some slaves were treated like indentured servants and freed
after a period of time, but owners were not under any obligation to do so as with indentured servants
Keeping children of slaves in bondage ensured a steady supply of slaves
Slavery in the Colonies
A few freed African slaves became landowners themselves, and some apparently even owned slaves of their own
Still, Europeans asserted that they were inherently superior
Slaves, Indians, and even the Irish were defined as “inferior races”
Any slave ancestry, no matter how small or far removed, defined a person as “black”
Later would be known as the “one-drop rule”
Other European Emigration
As economic conditions improved and restrictions on emigration increased in England, English emigration the colonies declined
Other nationalities and ethnic groups began to emigrate
French Huguenots (French Calvinists) had been tolerated in Catholic France, but the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685
Huguenots began to come to America German Protestants soon followed
Other European Emigration
Germans settled in New York, then Pennsylvania
“Pennsylvania Dutch” (Deutsch) Among them were Moravians, Mennonites German-speaking Swiss Protestants joined
them Scottish and Irish Presbyterians
Colonial Economies
As population grew, economy expanded Southern economy – Tobacco was the basis of the
economy in the Chesapeake region Tobacco market was sometimes volatile Tobacco cultivation suited to the use of slave labor Rice was a staple in the southern colonies of Georgia
and South Carolina Both labor-intensive and suited to the use of slave
labor Indigo (used for blue dye) also grown
Northern Economies
In the Northern colonies, agriculture dominated as it did in the south
However, industry began to arise on a small scale Cobblers, blacksmiths, silversmiths, gunsmiths,
cabinetmakers, printers, etc. Water power for mills – grinding grain, processing
cloth, lumber, ironworking, woolens, hats, etc. Shipbuilding began to flourish Few people were self-sufficient, depended on
commerce with others
Improvised Economy
With little “hard money,” colonies had to rely on other things as media of exchange
Barter system Trade with Caribbean colonies Sugar, molasses, slaves for rum, agricultural
products, meat, fish
“Triangular Trade”
Rum, other manufactured goods transported from New England to Africa, traded for slaves
Slaves transported to West Indies, traded for sugar and molasses
Sugar and molasses transported to New England Sugar and molasses made into rum, transported to Africa,
etc. America, England, Africa, West Indies, Europe Growing trade, growing economy, growing consumerism,
rising merchant class Some social mobility
Southern Agrarian Economy
Dominated by Plantation system Some were small – landowners and indentured
servants worked side by side Some were very large – e.g., 40,000 acres
(over 60 square miles, about ¼ the size of Memphis), 285 slaves
Some had most of the trappings of small towns Southern society was highly stratified
Slave Society
Rigid social separation from whites imposed by whites, but constant interaction
Formal marriage encouraged by whites; nuclear families,elaborate social structures developed by slaves
Kinship ties sometimes established with unrelated slaves who had no other relatives
Slaves sometimes established languages of their own (e.g., Gullah)
Slave religion blended Christianity with African folk religion
Resistance to Slavery
There were occasional slave uprisings and rebellions
Rebellions were rare and unsuccessful Most common form of resistance to slavery
was running away But runaway slaves had no place to go and
success was difficult
Puritans
Settlements/towns with “covenants” binding all the residents together
Generally small communities, town meetings Only adult males could participate/vote, subject
to membership in the church and evidence of being part of the “elect”
Eldest son did not always inherit – father decided
Witchcraft Phenomenon
Witch hysteria, 1680s – 1690s Salem, 1692 Adolescent girls, West Indian servants, “voodoo” Accusations of prominent people began Nineteen people executed Accusers later recanted Illustrated the highly religious character of communities Firm belief in the power of Satan, etc. And one of those executed was . . .
Colonial Cities
Small communities, by today’s standards New York – about 25,000 people Merchant class dominated Tradesmen, workers, artisans, indigents Sharp social distinctions Usual urban social problems – crime, vice,
pollution, disease, epidemics, traffic
Awakenings and Enlightenment
Religious toleration in America far greater than in Europe
Many different religious practices Church of England was the “official” church in
parts of New England Few Roman Catholics, anti-Catholicism Fewer Jews, forbidden to vote or hold office
The Great Awakening
Increased religious fervor, 1730s-1740s Revival of old religions, founding of new ones,
increased piety People sought closer relationship with God Powerful preachers – Wesley, Whitefield
The Enlightenment
Advances in scientific and intellectual discoveries Natural laws, power of human reason Undermined traditional authority, e.g., the churches Not so much a direct challenge to religion as quest for
rational enquiry Some religious leaders wavered - Cotton Mather still
believed disease was a punishment for sin, yet encouraged inoculation for smallpox
Value of education, rise of public schools (required by law)
Literacy (among whites) increased
The Enlightenment
Most colleges were founded by religious leaders (Harvard, Yale, William and Mary, Princeton)
“Liberal Arts” curriculum Other colleges founded as secular institutions Still, those with access to education were mostly white
men Education sometimes forbidden to African slaves Colonial almanacs widespread “Poor Richard’s Almanac” published by Benjamin
Franklin
The Calm Before The Storm
Englishmen in America thought of themselves as “free” during the early 18th century:
Policy of “benign neglect” – control eased Distance from Great Britain Local Assemblies of Burgesses Still thought of themselves as Englishmen Believed that the benefits of being part of the
British Empire outweighed the disadvantages
Colonies Divided
Royal appointments made via bribery, favoritism, cronyism
Decentralized colonial administration Colonies were separate, sovereign entities Albany Plan of Union, 1754 (proposed) Benjamin Franklin supported it Proposed to colonial assemblies None approved it
The Struggle for the Continent
Expansion of French presence in America French tolerated Indian way of life Powerful Iroquois federation French Empire in North America, conflict with
English colonial Empire French and Indian War, 1754 Battle of Quebec – Plains of Abraham, 1759 Wolfe and Montcalm
General James Wolfe(January 2, 1727-September 13, 1759)
He raised up his head
Where the guns did rattle
And to his aide he said,
“How goes the battle?
“Quebec is all our own,
They can’t prevent it”
He said without a groan,
“I die contented”
Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-GozonMarquis de Saint-Veran(February 28, 1712-September 14, 1759)
"I am happy that I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec.”
War for the Empire
French and Indian War largely a colonial conflict Modest (and inept) assistance provided by the British Local colonial forces Fort Necessity debacle (a young colonel George
Washington forced to surrender to the British) William Pitt (British Secretary of State, later P.M.) –
unified military strategy for British forces British military became more effective
New Imperialism
Treaty of Paris (1763) ended French & Indian War France ceded most of its colonies in the New World Spain cedes Florida British Empire at peace (for a change) but saddled with
huge war debts - could no longer afford “benign neglect” of the colonies
Prime Minister George Grenville (1763) sought to recover war costs from colonies, pay down the debt
But the colonies were reluctant to be a source of revenue (“cash cow”) for the Empire
Proclamation of 1763
Britain “apologizes” to the Indians “Temporarily” forbids English colonial expansion
beyond the Appalachian Mountains Advantageous to the British but resisted by the
colonists Failed to stop westward expansion and settlement Agreements with the Indians made, broken, made,
broken again
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
British sought to strengthen its control and authority in the colonies, increase revenue, recover costs of war
Sugar Act (1764) Currency Act (1764) Stamp Act (1765)
Britain Tightens Control
British removed appropriation of funds for local government from local control
British started enforcing the Navigation Acts Taxes raised on items Americans have to
import from Britain, and enforced this time Much resented by colonists British were soon collecting ten times more tax
revenue from the colonies than before
Colonial Resistance
Colonists resented the taxes, but found resistance difficult
Boycotts Riots Popular unrest “Sons of Liberty” (1765) formed to unite
colonists against taxes Some protests turn violent
Coming of the Revolution
Warning signs Colonial assemblies petitioned the King Colonists believed that local taxes should be
administered by local authorities Colonists were mostly unsuccessful with
peaceful petitioning and negotiating, but the stage was set
Coming of the Revolution
We called it the “French and Indian War” In Europe, it was called the “Seven Years War” It had been a huge expense for the British Empire,
huge debt incurred Parliament’s view: colonists should pay for the
expense of defending their side of the ocean against the French
Colonists’ view: the war was England’s war; we volunteered our men to fight it over here. We’re not going to pay for it, too!
Britain Tightens Control
To aid in enforcing their new rules . . . British to keep 10,000 British troops in the
colonies Quartering Act 1764 Not much different from earlier acts of
Parliament But this time (after 1763), they were strongly
enforced
Rights of Man andthe Philosophy of Revolt
18th century known for new writings on “Natural Law,” and “Rights of Man”
John Locke, tyranny, “Philosophy of Revolt” Scots, Puritans, British opposition radicals London’s view: rights apply first to Englishmen
living in England, secondarily to colonists Colonists view: we are Englishmen, too, and
entitled to the rights of Englishmen!
Stamp Act Congress
1765: Virginian Patrick Henry introduced a resolution against the Stamp Act (“If this be treason, let us make the most of it!”)
1765, nine colonies sent delegates to Stamp Act Congress (in 18th century, “congress” just meant “meeting”)
Their argument: as Englishmen, we cannot be taxed without our consent
Stamp Act Repealed
Stamp Act Congress was a meeting, NOT a government
First example of colonial representatives working together to solve a problem
Formal complaint to Britain, boycott of British goods Stamp Act repealed by popular pressure from British
merchants hurt by the boycott Prime Minister Grenville fired by the King But the fact that England “backed down” emboldened
the colonials
Declaratory Act of 1766
BUT – Parliament also quietly passed the Declaratory Act of 1766
A “quiet time bomb” “Britain shall have the right to tax or make any
and all laws necessary to govern the colonies, in all cases whatsoever.”
Overlooked by colonists at the time
New Taxes, New Penalties
Charles Townshend becomes Prime Minister (1770)
New taxes on items imported into the colonies from Britain
New penalties for attempting to import from other countries
Violators tried in Britain – not locally
Stirrings of Revolution
Slow complaints at first from the colonies “Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer” (by John
Dickinson) re-stated objections as violations of natural law and natural rights
1768, Sam Adams’ Massachusetts Circular Letter urged each colony to petition Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts
Townshend clamps down
Townshend reacted quickly, and harshly: Withdraw the petition or risk having your
Houses of Burgesses closed Increase troop presence in each colony Send spies to entrap smugglers General harassment of colonists
Boston Massacre
Petty violence by colonists against British by 1770 Boycotting (“non-importation,” in colonists’ vocabulary)
of British goods hurt British economy “Boston Massacre,” 1770 Five people killed - Crispus Attucks “Innocent Blood Crying from the Streets of Boston” American resentment inflamed
Crispus Attucks(c. 1723-March 5, 1770)
Lord North, Taxes Eased
George III replaced Townshend with Lord North
All taxes repealed EXCEPT a token tax on tea Colonists had ways of avoiding this tax, too British stepped up their anti-smuggling patrols
Colonial Resistance Continues
Rhode Island colonists burned British customs ship Gaspee, which had been far too successful in catching smugglers.
British soldiers never arrested responsible parties.
Parliament passed Tea Act in 1773 Eliminates colonial middlemen (and their
profits) from the tea trade
Resistance Continues
Colonial leaders’ approach: fight the new law however possible:
Don’t buy British teaSmuggle when possibleDon’t allow British ships to dock
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party An “act of war,” or petty vandalism? No suspects arrested by Britain; no trail of
clues Many Americans abhorred the “tea excitement” But most abhorred British coercion even more British response: coercion
Britain Strengthens Control
The Coercive Acts (1774) Boston Harbor closed indefinitely (until someone
comes forward with names of culprits) Colonial legislatures closed, all colonies held
collectively responsible Royal governor’s power increased All colonial crimes tried in Britain, not locally Quartering Act strengthened
Colonial Resentment
Britain’s view: criminal actions forfeit your “natural rights”
Colonists’ view: don’t call us Englishmen unless you will treat us with all the rights given to Englishmen in England
Samuel Adams stirred up public outrage, helped form a Committee of Correspondence
Coercive Acts, 1774
Britain feared a surprise attack by Indian tribes Passed Quebec Act (not directly related to the
Boston troubles, though it seemed to be) NO colonist shall attempt to move into Canada Colonists had their own name for the Coercive
Acts and the Quebec Act: “INTOLERABLE ACTS”
First Continental Congress
“First Continental Congress” (Fall 1774), delegates from all the colonies
NOT A GOVERNMENT – just a meeting at which a course of action could be planned
Agreed to re-state their objections to Britain “as loyal Englishmen”
Rejected a proposal to join all 13 into a union, seeking a new kind of relationship with Britain
Loyalists and Patriots
First Continental Congress to meet again in Spring 1775, assess situation
A hot political issue, with many points of view: LOYALISTS – believed Britain couldn’t mean any harm
to Englishmen, stressed importance of obedience to English law (also called “TORIES”)
PATRIOTS – believed union and independence were the only solution to the problem of guaranteed rights
Moderates Wait and See
MODERATES (most common view in 1775): wait and see what happens, Loyalist and Patriot views are both too extreme for safety
British actions in 1775 and 1776 pushed many Moderates into the Patriot column
Taverns were a hotbed of political/revolutionary discussion
Alcohol flowed freely, intoxication common in colonies at the time
Rumors of War
British General Gage in charge of all British troops in the colonies
Rumors of a planned colonial uprising (“Minute Men”)
“Rude rabble without a plan” Gage determined to find-and-destroy,
demonstrate British force to any who were thinking of rebellion
“Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
April 1775, Gage led a show of force through Massachusetts
Rumors preceded him; encounter with “Minute Men” in Lexington and Concord
“Shot Heard ‘Round the World” By day’s end: 1000+ British dead, Gage’s
army forced into retreat.
Revolution Begins
At the end of the first day, Britain had suffered twice as many casualties as the colonists
The Revolution was on
Samuel Adams (1722-1803)
“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands of those who feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”